JAKARTA: Protests have erupted across Indonesia Thursday as the parliament delayed passing contentious revisions to the election law, sparking widespread concern over President Joko Widodo’s influence on the country’s democratic processes. The revisions, seen by critics as an attempt to solidify Widodo’s political dynasty, were set to overturn a recent Constitutional Court ruling that blocked his youngest son from contesting regional elections.
The delay in the plenary session, attributed to insufficient legislators present, has not eased tensions. Demonstrators, many dressed in black, have gathered outside the parliament building in Jakarta, with additional protests reported in Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Authorities have deployed 3,000 police officers in the capital to manage the unrest.
Legal experts warn that the parliamentary maneuvers, described as “constitutional insubordination,” could escalate into a broader political crisis. The revisions are viewed as a direct challenge to the judiciary, undermining its role as a check on legislative power.
As Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, navigates this tumultuous period, the actions taken in the coming days will be critical in determining the future of its democratic institutions. The widespread protests reflect growing public anxiety about the erosion of democratic norms and the consolidation of power within the outgoing president’s circle.
